Palladium Books® Weekly Update – Dec. 5, 2014

By Kevin Siembieda

I hope everyone in the USA enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving. The Palladium crew had been working like fiends over many a weekend for a long time now, so I gave them a well deserved 4-day weekend off. Those four days off went by way too fast, but it did enable us to catch our breath. Julius, Alex and I worked on Sunday to insure the many Christmas Surprise Packages shipped on Monday.

I’m glad I gave the guys the long weekend off, because when they got back from the holiday, we put in some crazy long hours to get Robotech® RPG Tactics™ rewards packed up, palletized and sent off for shipping to our European backers. The 11 pallets should be placed on the ship next weekend to head out to the UK for shipping. When the items are released from port they’ll go to the fulfillment center where Robotech® product will be shipped out across the EU.

Australia and the rest of the world gets shipped next. Whew. Almost done shipping Wave One product to our backers around the world and it feels great.

Meanwhile, many backers have been building and painting the game pieces. The ones we’ve seen online look pretty awesome. I’m an artist myself, but I don’t have the patience or skill to tackle painting these pieces with the skill and artistry of many of these folks. Wow. As you know, Robotech® RPG Tactics™ products where also released to retailers in the USA and Canada, so the product is available in stores right now! Check it out.

UPDATE: Christmas Surprise Packages are pouring in as time is running out to get gifts for the holidays.

Yep, it seems many of you have been waiting till Christmas got closer before placing a Surprise Package order. That’s great. We are happy to see them, so keep ‘em pouring in, and we’ll keep ‘em shipping out! See the shipping dates below to help you gauge when you need to place orders in time for Christmas.

For those of you who don’t know what a Palladium Christmas Surprise Package is, it’s usually $90 or more worth of Palladium RPG books for only $42 plus shipping and handling. And because you guys and gals mean so much to us, I often pack in more than $90 worth of product. Oh, and each book will be signed by me (Kevin Siembieda) and available Palladium staff and freelancers if you request it. It is our way of saying thanks to all of you for your support and kindness.

Surprise Packages are the perfect holiday gift for gamers as well as for upcoming birthdays, anniversaries, or filling in holes in your collection or trying new game settings (Rifts®, Robotech®, Nightbane®, Dead Reign®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Splicers® and all the rest). We’re happy to put smiles on your faces with these items.

When ordering, you need to factor in time for Palladium to process those orders (usually 24 hours) and the actual transit time of shipping itself (generally 3-5 business days in the USA depending on where you live). Do NOT include Saturday or Sunday as a shipping day, because they are not. Get those orders in NOW to get your order or Surprise Packages in time for Christmas without having to pay an arm and a leg for expedited shipping!

Shipping guidelines for Christmas delivery:

Note: Remember, Palladium needs a day or two to process and pack orders and we cannot ship on the weekends. Make sure your address is complete (include Apt. Number) and your order is clear.

Media Mail – Place your order via Media Mail by December 10 and you should get your Surprise Package by Christmas, but Palladium will NOT guarantee any package shipped via Media Mail to arrive before Christmas. Use this method at your own risk. Note: Media Mail, which applies only to paper goods, is the least expensive method of shipping, BUT also the slowest and least reliable method. The USPS will tell you 4-10 days for delivery, HOWEVER, experience has shown us that during the holidays, delivery time is more like 7-21 days. Ships at your own risk.

UPS Ground in the USA – Place order by December 16 to guarantee Christmas delivery. Those of you who live east of the Mississippi River may have till December 18.

Priority Mail in USA – Place your order by December 18 (should be a bit cheaper than UPS 3-Day Select).

UPS 3-Day Select in USA – Place your order by December 18 for guaranteed Christmas delivery.

UPS 2nd Day Air in USA – Place your order by December 19.

UPS Next Day Air in USA – Place your order by December 22.

Express Mail in USA – Place your order by December 21.

Parcel Post in USA – NOT ADVISED. Placing an order by December 15 means you MAY get your order in time for Christmas, but probably not. There is only a 33% chance. We can NOT guarantee a Christmas delivery using Parcel Post at this time.

To our friends in Canada and overseas – To guarantee delivery in time for Christmas, we suggest ordering no later than December 10. Happy Holidays, one and all!

UPDATE: The Rifter® #68 – Ships next Friday

The printer expects to have The Rifter® #68 in our hands by next Friday, December 12. Subscribers and pre-orders will ship out the day it arrives. This is another great issue with a dynamic John Zeleznik super-hero cover and excellent and fun source material, including 17 pages of “official” Minion War/Megaverse® in Flames™ material that you are going to love. Not to mention new Rifts® material about True Atlanteans, dimensional hideaways and Magic Tattoos, a Heroes Unlimited™ adventure and a Dead Reign®/Beyond the Supernatural™ crossover adventure, news and coming attractions. Remember, you can tweak source material from The Rifter® for use in almost any setting. It is an excellent player and G.M. resource.

UPDATE: Palladium Fantasy RPG®: Bizantium and the Northern Islands™ – in production – January release

We’ve been so busy the past week, we haven’t touched Bizantium and the Northern Islands™. It will definitely be a January release. We don’t have an exact release date yet. Shooting for the first week of January. I think Palladium Fantasy fans are really going to enjoy Bizantium and the Northern Islands™. We will keep you posted.

90+ Palladium PDF titles available on DriveThruRPG.com

We’ll make sure to get some sneak previews of upcoming books into the available selection over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, spread the word that there are 90+ Palladium Books titles available as PDFs on DriveThruRPG.com with more to be made available in the coming weeks. They currently include the Coalition Wars®/Siege on Tolkeen™ series, Splicers® RPG, The Rifter® issues #1-56 (with more being added soon), and first edition rules of the Rifts® RPG, Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG, Heroes Unlimited™ RPG, The Palladium Fantasy RPG®, and related 1st edition sourcebooks for each. And more! Like what? Like Fantasy Paper Miniatures and Game Master Kits for digital download. They are available only as PDF files and were designed special to help you run your games and build campaigns. There are also sneak previews of books and other good stuff. Check it out! And let other gamers know they are available too. We’ll be making more available on DriveThru in the weeks and months to come. So take a look on a regular basis.

Limited editions, rare book titles and limited edition hardcovers are all being added to my online store over the weekend. Alex and I will keep adding items as supplies allow and as I scrounge items up. They include out of print titles, redlined proofreader photocopies signed by me and the staff, signed manuscripts with editors’ corrections, some original art, hardcover books (including Rifts® Northern Gun™ One and Two, Megaverse® in Flames™ and Rifts® Ultimate Gold) and other items available just in time for Christmas. There are also hundreds of toys and action figures, all from my personal collection. Alex will keep adding Palladium items over the next few weeks. All items in the store are from my own personal archives and collection. Take a look every few days as new items are added. There may be some items that are perfect as holiday gifts or upcoming birthdays and anniversaries.

UPDATE: Robotech® RPG Tactics™ – shipping like crazy

Kickstarter rewards are already in the hands of 4,000+ US and Canadian backers (and in stores across the USA and Canada). Rewards to European backers have left our warehouse this week and will be shipped to a UK fulfillment center. Australia and the rest of our backers will be processed next. Overseas Robotech® RPG Tactics™ rewards need to be gathered, packaged, made sure to satisfy each country’s shipping requirements (the maximum size varies), and then for Europe and Australia they are palletized and put on a ship to be sent overseas to a central location for mailing to the actual backers. It is our understanding that this method of shipping should in most cases reduce the end cost to the recipient. That said, the recipient will, of course, be responsible for any and all fees, taxes and duties their government may charge. What taxes, duty and fees MAY be applied is completely out of Palladium’s hands. Again, it is our understanding that this method of shipping will mitigate the cost to the recipient. In other countries, we have no option but to ship directly to the backer, and the backer is likewise responsible for all taxes, duty and customs fees.

NEED Correct Addresses for Overseas Backers!

Please notify us of any change of address immediately! This applies to ALL overseas backers. PLEASE get us your change of address immediately!! Please check BackerKit ( http://robotech-rpg-tacticstm.backerkit.com ) and make sure your address is correct. If anything doesn’t look right, please send us your address in a Kickstarter message or via email at kickstarter@palladiumbooks.com or call the Palladium office at 734-721-2903 with your new information. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!!! Note: Even though European rewards have left the Palladium warehouse, we still have a couple of weeks in which we can make address changes before the UK distribution point ships them. Do not risk your reward going to the wrong address because YOU failed to update your address. NOTE: Palladium Books will NOT be liable for lost goods if you have moved and did not tell us in time. Please contact us now! MOREOVER, you will be required to pay the additional shipping to redirect the package to the correct address. That’s assuming it is even returned to our fulfillment center. Please save yourself time and money and make sure your address is correct right NOW. Thank you.

FYI: We still have a few US packages that have been returned to Palladium Books due to an incorrect address. Please call the Palladium office at 734-721-2903 with your new information.

Artist Nick Bradshaw is a first-time Dad

November 14, Nick’s wife, Katie, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Zoe. Nick and Katie are proud first-time parents. The Palladium crew sends our congratulations and warmest wishes to the happy parents.

Happy Birthday, Jeff

Jeff Burke, artist, Robotech® expert and art director, and all-around hard worker and great guy, celebrates his 45th birthday this weekend. We took a bit of time to give Jeff a few gifts and enjoy some cake and ice cream this afternoon. We’ll celebrate more at the Palladium Christmas party in a few weeks. Happy birthday, Jeff.

Sad News and Warm Thoughts

In the Thanksgiving Update I mentioned that a close member of the Palladium family had a recent scare. For awhile, it looked like his father was at death’s door but seemed on the road to recovery. It is with a heavy heart that I report there is no happy ending to this story. The father of Palladium writer Matthew Clements passed away earlier this week. A death of a beloved parent is always heartbreaking, but made all the more sad when it is around a joyful holiday such as Christmas. All of us have become close friends with Matthew and feel his pain and anguish. The brain aneurysm that befell his father, James, was unexpected, making his death all the more difficult. Our hearts go out to Matthew and his family. Our deepest sympathies and love to Matt and his family.

I am sometimes criticized, strangely enough, for the positive tone of these updates and my other posts. Trust me, I have my share of ups and downs, fits of anger and sadness. I’m no Pollyanna, but I try not to sweat the little things and I try to focus on the good and the positive rather than the dark and the negative. Life is much too short to be angry and down about everything. I got that perspective from my wonderful mother, Florence. Mom battled cancer for a long time. And I do mean, life and death battle. Many of them. I was 15, I think, when she was first diagnosed. We thought we were going to lose her then, but she beat it for the first time. There would be many more battles to come. And many times we thought we were about to lose her. I was 33, a few years older than Matthew, when she finally lost the battle against cancer.

You are never prepared to lose a parent. It’s crushing, especially when you are young. I’ve since lost many loved ones to the monster that is cancer: my Grandmother; Keith Parkinson; Kay Kozora; my dear, dear friend Erick Wujcik; and my beloved father, Henry. I’ve lost other loved ones to heart-attack, disease and suicide. People say death is a natural part of life, and all good things must come to end. True, but it still stinks and each loss hurts.

I often say I don’t know how or why I have had so many wonderful, beautiful people in my life. I count everyone at Palladium and many of you among their number. I am truly blessed in that regard. And even those who have passed from this life live on in my heart and mind. I can hear my beautiful mother’s words in my ear, feel my father’s arms around me and Erick’s voice laughing and encouraging me whenever I need them. It’s different than when they were alive, of course, but they are still with me – a cherished part of me, of my character – forever. But as nice as that may be, I wish they were here in the flesh so I could hug them and kiss them and hear their laughter as more than an echo from the past.

That’s why I so often try to remind you to love and cherish your friends and family while you have them. And most important of all, tell them how much you love them. I’m never afraid to express my love and appreciation to others, or speak openly and sincerely in these Updates and my posts online, because life is fleeting and I want others to know what they mean to me.

I watched my mother, and later, Erick and Kay, battle devouring cancer. I watched them age years beyond their actual age and stood helpless as their beautiful bodies withered away and their vibrant voices turned into a soft, hoarse whisper. I can only imagine the pain and torture the disease put upon their bodies, making them so fragile in the end. I pray I never have to go through such an ordeal myself. The last two years of my mother’s life I would not wish on my worst enemy. Yet as horrific as things became for my Mom, there was one thing the cancer could not touch: her incredible spirit. Her glorious soul was unscathed, maybe even made more beautiful. More profound and generous. It was my beautiful mother who taught me to look at the good, the beautiful and the joyful all around you, even in your darkest moments. She fought despair and sought beauty. As she lingered at death’s door on many occasions, she could still see the beauty in a rainbow or a spring day, or the laugh of a loved one, or the splendor in a smile and the joy of a hug. At her most dire of moments she thought only of others and put their welfare above her own. Yeah, my Mom was pretty incredible. My Aunt Pauline actually considered her to be an honest-to-God, living saint. I’m not kidding. I don’t know if I’d go that far, but she was my loving mother, my best friend and pretty darn awesome.

I saw this all repeated by the incredible and beautiful souls that were ... that are ... Erick Wujcik and Kathyrn Kozora. No matter what they were feeling or the living horror they were experiencing, they chose to see the beautiful and joyful. They surrounded themselves with loved ones and ate up every moment, every word, every chance to laugh, before they would be gone. They too worried about those around them, not themselves. Wow. True inspirations. I hope I can be as brave and noble and loving when my time comes.

I’ve learned from the beautiful souls that have passed through my life. I have learned to see the beauty and joy around me and embrace it. To appreciate my friends who are my loved ones, my extended family. To love my work and to appreciate everything I have whether I’m flying high on success or struggling to keep my company afloat. I have learned to seek and focus upon laughter and friendship in the darkest, scariest of moments, and eat life up. I’ve learned that the absolutely most important things in life are the people around you, especially the ones who are silly enough to see something special in you, and love you with all their heart. I have learned to cherish every moment, every friend because there may not be another chance to do so. I learned this first from my amazing Mom, but it is a lesson repeated by beautiful souls like Erick, Kay, Aunt Jo and others I have been blessed to know.

I write this while I hurt with Matthew, feel for Matthew, and recall the sense of loss and sorrow that he and his family are working through at this very moment. But I write it for you. A reminder to find and drink in the joyful and beautiful. A reminder to show those you love so very much, how much you love and respect them.

And don’t sweat the stupid stuff. Kick aside the little annoyance, the noise of the Internet, and even the bigger troubles and woes of finance, work and jerks, and drink in the beauty and joy all around you. People, love, laughter and life, that’s what makes life grand. Your friends and loved ones are the ones who make every moment of your journey on this world special and worthwhile. The real “gifts” in life are not money, toys or prestige, it is the people you love and who love you right back. Funny how it’s difficult to remember that sometimes. That we have to remind ourselves and push aside the disappointments and frustrations in life that can overshadow the people and love we should be enjoying. That’s what truly matters.

Thank you, my dear friends, for making my life so rich and wonderful. You all mean so much to me. Especially you, Kathy. You may be the most beautiful soul of them all. I can’t believe I get to come home to you every night and share my crazy life with you. I love your smile and your laugh.

Give your loved ones a big hug and find the joy and splendor of this holiday season.

– Kevin Siembieda, With Love and Appreciation

Surprise Package comments from fans like you

Every year there is a section where the customer can offer comments and suggestions with his or her Surprise Package order. Every year, in acknowledgment of our fans, and because they are fun to read, we offer a sampling in the Weekly Updates. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have stuck with Palladium through thick and thin. Keep those imaginations burning bright, have a joyous holiday season and game on.

You have no idea how much your comments and support mean to all of us. Everyone at Palladium enjoys reading your brief comments. They always brighten our day. Thank you. Since I haven’t been posting as much as I’d like, I have tried to write a short response [in brackets] when applicable.

A.B. in West Orange, New Jersey, writes: I love the Grab Bags! Especially the signed items. Thank you for years of gaming!

[You are very welcome, A.B. Happy Holidays and game on. – KS]

G.W. in Elk Grove, California, writes: I just wanted to say, “Thank you.” I was first introduced to Heroes Unlimited™ about 15 years ago while in high school. Now, a few of my old school buddies and I meet up for a weekly Rifts® game where I’m the G.M. Because of Palladium Books I have had countless hours of fun and great memories of spending time with friends.

[Very cool, G.W. Yeah, I love how RPGs bring about fun, lasting memories and friendships. I have a vast number of pals I might have never met if not for role-playing games. There is something magical about the RPG experience. – KS]

J.B. in Missoula, Montana, writes (in part): Thanks for the hard work gang and keep it going. By the way the new Robotech® RPG Tactics™ game is a lot of fun!

[Thanks J.B. RRT is a fun game. Glad you enjoy it. – KS]

W.C. in Sarasota, Florida, writes: Wormwood™, Rifts®, Dead Reign® and Heroes Unlimited™ are my favorite, and you guys do some of the best horror action RPGS in the business. You guys are amazing at what you do. Please keep making all these great games. You have the best relationship with your fans I’ve ever seen in an RPG company. I am happy to be supporting you guys through my local gaming store.

[Thank you, W.C., for the kind words and high praise. We’ll keep doing great games if you guys keep buying them. Thanks for your support. We were also glad to see you support your local store by purchasing many products there. Excellent. We want to keep stores in business. – KS]

T.W. in Wayne, Nebraska, writes: My GM is moving away, so I am looking to replace what he won’t be around to share. I’m looking forward to seeing him and you at the Palladium Open House!

[Sorry your G.M is moving away, T.W., a good one is hard to find. See you and him at the Open House. – KS]

M.S. in Lawrenceville, Georgia, writes (in part): I said it before and I’ll say it again: Rifts! Sometimes I take a break to play a different game, but I always come back to the game that has it all. Palladium’s games have always brought a sense of wonder and imagination to my gaming table.

G.M. in Fairfax, Virginia, writes: Just got back from overseas where I could not receive packages, so re-instituting the X-Mas tradition. Fortunately, the delays in the Robotech Kickstarter worked for me, and I have a nice big box to open for Christmas as well. All the best to the Palladium family for happy holidays!

Robotech® RPG Tactics™ – Available in USA and Canada stores

This game makes an awesome gift or a great addition to your own collection. Fun. Fast. Captures Robotech. Assembly and painting REQUIRED. Note: Those of you outside North America can place pre-orders, but your order will not ship until after items have shipped to our Kickstarter backers overseas first.

● Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Boxed Set (Main Box Game) – Cat. No. 55100 – $99.95 retail price. This is the game Robotech® fans have wanted for decades. Robotech® RPG Tactics™ is a fast-paced, tabletop combat game that captures the action and adventure of the Robotech® anime. Two or more players can engage in small squad skirmishes or scale up to massive battles. Relive the clashes of the First Robotech War, engage in stand-alone tactical games, or use the dynamic game pieces to enhance your Robotech® RPG experience. Or simply collect your favorite mecha from an expanding range of top-notch game pieces.

The First Six Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Expansion Packs will be available to retail at the same time as the main box game. All are available now in the USA and Canada. Here are the SKUs and retail prices.

● Battle Foam Robotech bag/carrying case – Cat. No. 55107 – $120 retail (limited supply). Note: We only have about 50 Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Battle Foam bags available. Once they are sold out it will be months before we manufacture more, if ever.

NEW! Coalition States Embroidered Polo Shirt – Available now

This is a shirt we could imagine being worn by CS officers and even Joseph Prosek II when working in his office or relaxing. Available in sizes Medium to 5XL. With the Rifts® 25th Anniversary just around the corner and the Coalition’s big role in defending Rifts® Earth in the Minion War, the CS embroidered polo shirt just feels right.

Coalition States “Polo” Shirt:

Quality 50/50 cotton and polyester blend.

Hemmed sleeves for a loose, comfortable fit.

Black polo shirt with an embroidered Coalition symbol of the Death’s Head with red lightning bolts and the words “Coalition States” underneath it in white. Very striking, yet subdued. Screams Coalition elite.

BACK IN PRINT: Rifts® Sourcebook Two: The Mechanoids® – Available now

A.R.C.H.I.E. Three and Hagan have inadvertently unleashed The Mechanoids® into the world. The Mechanoids® are creatures with one driving goal: To destroy all humanoid life! This book has it all. Source material, the Mechanoids®, new equipment, monsters and adventures. Written by Kevin Siembieda.

NEW! Dead Reign™ Sourcebook 5: Graveyard Earth™ – Available now

If you love zombies and haven’t tried this game, it is time to do so, along with this compelling new sourcebook. The Dead Reign™ core rule book and sourcebooks capture the Zombie Apocalypse in a fast-playing, action-packed RPG of survival and terror.

The Graveyard Earth™ sourcebook expands the Zombie Apocalypse around the world, providing a wide range of ideas and settings for adventure. Every continent is given an overview with key locations noted across the globe. This includes likely and rumored Safe Haven communities, military outposts and data about what happened during the zombie outbreak and what’s going on NOW. Has any government survived? Is anyplace safe?

The state of the world. Adventure ideas galore.

Survival tips and many random generation tables for travel, survival, and Safe Havens around the world.

The Zombie World Tour presents how the Wave and the Zombie Apocalypse have played out across the globe. Every country in the world has been touched and changed by the rise of the dead.

Random Safe Havens by region.

Many Random Tables for Settings, Safe Havens and more.

Random Survivor Leaders, Zombie Threat Level Table and more.

Trapped abroad? How do you get home in a zombie-filled world? Data and tables for aircraft landing conditions and travel by road and by sea.

NEW! The Rifter® #68 – December

This is traditionally the horror themed issue, but every issue of The Rifter® is an idea factory for players and Game Masters to generate new ideas and find new avenues of adventure. It provides useful, ready to go source material you can just drop into your ongoing games. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. And the many new characters, O.C.C.s, powers, magic, weapons, villains, monsters, adventures and ideas for one setting can be easily adapted to any Palladium setting. Every issue has material for Rifts® and at least 2-3 other Palladium game lines. And don’t forget, most of the material can be easily adapted for use in ANY Palladium game setting.

The Rifter® Number 68 includes:

Heroes Unlimited™ – Band of Bothers, a light-hearted adventure by Branden Loizides.

In final production, but may slip into a January release. We will continue to shoot for end of December, but likely to be released the first week of January, 2015. Keep those pre-orders coming in.

Journey to the Island Kingdom of Bizantium, situated at the far northern peak of the Palladium World. Its vast fleets of merchant vessels and warships travel the high seas and bring untold wealth back to the kingdom, as well as exotic goods, people, customs, weapons and foreign magic. As foreign powers exert their influence on the throne, treachery and potential power grabs lurk in the shadows.

New Waterchanter O.C.C. and 20+ magic spell new to the Fantasy setting.

New Sea Serpents and the warrior sailors who hunt them.

Sea Serpent generation table to create your own sea monsters.

New animals of the North Sea and Sea of Despair.

Sea serpent ships! Dead serpents turned into deadly, massive attack ships (as depicted on the cover). And the forgotten race who creates these ships and threatens sailors in the Northern seas.

New O.C.C.s including the Serpent Chaser and Bizantium Marine.

New weapons and equipment for sailors, mariners, soldiers and adventurers at large.

New Bizantium ships including the Bireme, Ice Breaker and Battleship.

Full time-line of the history of Bizantium.

Bizantian society, culture, religion and magic.

The Eoten of the Northern Islands, their mythology and influence.

The Northern Islands described in full, cities and geography, as well as threats to sailors in the North Sea and Sea of Despair.

Bizantium’s many shipyards, possibly the kingdom’s greatest asset.

Key figures of Bizantium and political intrigue.

The Noble Houses, Warlocks and foreign powers all trying to capture the throne of Bizantium for themselves!

Palladium Fantasy RPG® “Paper Miniatures” is a new digital product line created by artist and writer “Madman” Mike Leonard. They are designed as full color paper game pieces that you print on a card stock, cut out and slide into a paper stand (all part of the package you purchase). A FREE Sample and the first two sets of Palladium Fantasy RPG® Paper Miniatures are available NOW on DriveThruRPG.

A Great Horned Dragon will be added, and two more Volumes are coming in the next month or two. And don’t forget, first edition rules of the Palladium Fantasy RPG® and several sourcebooks (and 90+ other titles including the Rifts® and Splicers® RPGs) are also available as PDFs. Have fun.

What is a Palladium Christmas Surprise Package? Available now

Christmas Surprise Packages, or “Grab Bags,” are a long-running holiday tradition in which you can get several RPG titles at a substantial discount. It is our way to say thank you to our many fans for being so kind and patient, and for your years of support. You are appreciated more than you may realize. That’s why Santa Kevin personally handpicks each and every item for every Grab Bag, and reads every comment (returning a short comment whenever he can). No other company does anything quite like it.

Christmas Surprise Packages are not just for Christmas. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or the Winter Solstice, or you’re looking for a gift for a birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s Day, or any special occasion that falls between now and February, a Surprise Package may be the ideal way to go. You get a ton of stuff on the cheap, you can get a bunch of autographs, and you look like you spent a fortune.

This is also a great way to try that game setting you’ve wondered about (Splicers®, Dead Reign™, Chaos Earth®, Palladium Fantasy®, Nightbane®, etc.), or to get something for your favorite Game Master, or perhaps to get your player group to consider a new game or setting.

Autographed books. For those of you who want them (which are most people), the available members of the Palladium staff and any freelancers we can lasso at the time are happy to autograph each and every book in your Surprise Package. This is the only way many fans, especially those in other countries, can EVER get signed books.

Send us your brief comments. There is a special form and format to fill out for Christmas Surprise Packages, including a place where you can offer your brief comments, suggestions, greetings and salutations.

Request autographs and Kevin Siembieda and all available Palladium staff members and freelancers will sign each of your books.

Only $42 plus shipping & handling to get $84-$90+ worth of Palladium products! First-timers are always nervous until they see the great value in their first Surprise Package. A typical Grab Bag has $85-$90 worth of product, sometimes more! Yes, sometimes more. Many people order 2-3. Some order 4-6, and some maniacs order even more! It makes sense, because it is a great way to fill holes in your own collection, treat yourself, get autographs, try new games and settings, and get your gaming pals gifts.

IMPORTANT! The Palladium Surprise Packages are designed to simulate the fun, joy and surprise of the Christmas Season of Giving. In this case, Santa Kevin needs you to submit a list of 10-12 Palladium products (or more) for EACH Surprise Package you request. That way you don’t know what you’re getting, just like when you receive a Christmas present. It is a surprise! Plus, Santa Kevin, who personally handpicks every item for every Grab Bag, may toss in something extra like a limited edition print, comic book, T-shirt, an issue of The Rifter®, or something else he thinks you’ll enjoy.

Happy Holidays from the Palladium crew. May they be filled with laughter, joy and gaming.

NEW! Robotech®: Expeditionary Force Marines Sourcebook One

– Formerly titled ‘UEEF Marines’

Robotech®: Expeditionary Force Marines sourcebook is set in space with the UEEF (United Earth Expeditionary Force) led by Admiral Rick Hunter. This valiant force of mecha-clad heroes travel across the galaxy liberating planets from the bondage of the Invid Regent, the Robotech Masters and other tyrants and monsters.

Coming BACK IN PRINT – Rise of Magic™

A Rifts® Chaos Earth® Sourcebook – Winter

The return of magic has empowered humans with strange and wondrous powers, unlike anything quite yet seen (and different from most conventional types of magic). This only complicates things for Earth’s defenders as the line of distinction between “good guys” and “bad guys” begins to blur.

Megaverse® in Flames™ “Gold Edition” – Available now

It is a beauty. Signed and numbered. Limited to only 300 copies. Printed gold foil on black leatherette, signed by the Palladium staff, Matthew Clements and Chuck Walton. (You can get Carl Gleba’s signature at the Palladium Open House next May.) Makes a great gift for birthdays and holidays. All the Gold Editions do.

300 signed and numbered copies.

Signed and numbered on the credits page by Kevin Siembieda and the Palladium staff and some contributors, including Matthew Clements, Chuck Walton and Ben Rodriguez.

NEW! Rifts® World Book 35: Megaverse® in Flames™ – Available now

The Minion War is here and the demons seek to conquer Rifts Earth. They are bringing demonic armies by the tens of thousands across the dimensional divide, unleashing plagues, seeking out magic artifacts, recruiting monsters and mortal allies, and testing their strength against Earth’s military powers. Worse, they are building Hell Pits so that they can unleash Hell on Earth! Not to be outdone, the Minions of Dyval are doing all the same things. Clashes between demons and Deevils are increasing every day and turn into titanic free-for-alls when Earth forces join the battle. As demonic supernatural forces ramp up, enslave people and wreak havoc across the globe, the question becomes: Is this the beginning of a new Dark Age?

NEW! Rifts® Northern Gun™ Two – signed & numbered print

The first batch of prints went to a select number of the Megaverse Insiders, but starting with Number 102, you too can get a signed and numbered Northern Gun™ Two Print. It is the striking John Zeleznik wrap-around cover without any text or logo to obscure the artwork. Limited to a total of 290 copies. Suitable for framing.

Limited to 290 signed and numbered prints; 101 of which have already gone to Megaverse Insider crowdfunders. The remaining 189 prints are available while supplies last.

The artwork is by the dynamic John Zeleznik.

Each is signed by Charles Walton (artist), Matthew Clements (author) and Kevin Siembieda (author and publisher) in silver.

NG-1 Print by Chuck Walton – Cat. No. PR810 – is also still available – $10.00

NEW! Future Visions™

– The Artistry of Charles Walton II – Available now

We call it Future Visions because it very much gives you a glimpse into the future of what is coming from Palladium Books. It is jam-packed with black and white artwork and concept art for several of the upcoming Splicers® sourcebooks and a couple other Palladium projects. Things we are excited about and want you to be, too. People can’t seem to get enough of Chuck Walton artwork, so here is an entire 96 page book filled with it. Some of the art is finished pieces, many others are concept art that may be tweaked and altered, or not used at all. Much of it is material you would never ordinarily see. If you like this book and it sells well, it can be the first of several Charles Walton II art books (and other artists?). We hope you enjoy it. It was a fun, quick and easy project to throw together. It didn't impact our schedule more than a few days.

PDF downloads from DriveThruRPG.com

This is a great resource for getting out of print Palladium titles and other select books. We’ve made 90 titles available as PDF digital downloads from DriveThruRPG.com. This is a great way to try Palladium products and get access to out of print RPG source material. Some notable titles include:

2015 Palladium Open House (POH) – May 15-17, 2015

The 2015 Open House is going to be awesome. Take a look at the growing list of Palladium Creators who have already confirmed they will be attending.

Ramon Perez – artist – Ramon has been working in the comic book industry at Marvel Comics, DC, Boom and other publishers. He is currently illustrating Marvel Comics’ Spider-Man: Learning to Crawl. Ramon remains “tentative,” but he hopes to clear his schedule to join the fun and hopes to be able to make it in 2015. I will update you when he confirms. Note: Everyone else in this list has confirmed.

MANY more writers, artists and creators are expected to join this list.

And we may have a surprise guest or two.

I think we may max out our attendance numbers for 2015, so make sure you order your tickets sooner than later to make sure you are not turned away. Palladium can only accommodate around 300 gamers total (plus staff and Palladium creators). Once we reach that number, the POH will be sold out. Order in the coming months or risk not being able to attend. If you wait till March or April, 2015 it may be too late!

A more complete description of the 2015 POH is in the online store and you can start purchasing your admission for the weekend or individual days as well as VIP Thursday (May 14, 2015). This write-up is just the highlights, please read the full description in the store. Remember, Price of admission covers ALL EVENTS, except VIP Thursday. There are no extra fees for gaming events, panel talks or autographs.

$45 per person for the Three Day Weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday; May 15, 16 & 17) when ordered in advance per each individual. ($60 at the door and after April 12, 2015, if space is available.)

$87 additional for VIP Night – Thursday – May 14, 2014. The VIP Night always sells out within weeks, so make your reservation as soon as possible. First-come, first-served. VIP Night is a special, one-evening event limited to around 120 gamers – 70 are available right now. VIP Thursday, May 14, 2014: 3:00 P.M. till 12:00 P.M. NOTE: As has become tradition, we hold a number of VIP slots to be offered at a later date – typically February – so that gamers who decide to attend at a later date have a chance at getting into the coveted VIP Night too. You get the delicious meal catered by Palladium’s very own Kathy Simmons (people rave about her meals), plus you get an extra afternoon and evening of gaming (opens late afternoon), a more intimate chance to talk with Palladium staff, artists and writers, and first crack at rare collectibles, prints and original art.

Other POH Highlights:

40+ Palladium creators. See the store description for details. In the past, the POH usually has 35-50 creators (writers, artists, editors, staff, Rifter contributors, etc.) attending. More than at any other convention or gathering anywhere, ever! And most are available to you almost the ENTIRE event to chat with you and sign autographs. Some will even run gaming events!

3 days of Palladium gaming.

100+ gaming events. Game Masters/Megaversal Ambassadors NEEDED!

Many games run by the people who make them, including Kevin Siembieda, Julius Rosenstein, Carmen Bellaire, Brandon Aten, Greg Diaczyk, Taylor White and many others!

8-10 panel talks each day, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Subjects run from player and G.M. tips, to writing and game design, to meeting various artists and more.

Auction of art and collectibles.

A family reunion atmosphere. Meet gamers from around the world

And it all happens at the Palladium warehouse and offices, where the magic happens! Okay, not quite “all.” When the gaming stops around 1:00 AM every night, the hotel has a large conference room where you maniacs can continue to game till you drop. There is room for at least 8 games in the room.

2015 Open House Hotel – reserve your room now

You should reserve your hotel room today. Your card will not be charged until next May. Other hotels are booked due to a sporting event the same weekend, so other area hotels will be filled. RESERVE YOUR ROOM TODAY or the next available hotel may be 20+ miles away.

Comfort Inn

40455 Ann Arbor RoadPlymouth, MI 48170Phone: 734-455-8100

Group Code: Palladium Books – you MUST request the Group Code “Palladium Books” at the time of booking to ensure the correct rate will be quoted and billed to you.

Dates of the 2015 Palladium Open House (POH): May 15-17 (May 14 is VIP Thursday), 2015.

$109.00 (plus tax) per night at the Comfort Inn, a.k.a. “Plymouth Clock Tower Hotel.” That’s $109 (plus tax) for a room with two queen beds or one king with a sofa that has a pull-out sleeper. ALL rooms have a micro-fridge and FREE high-speed wired/wireless Internet. The hotel also offers a FREE hot breakfast from 6 A.M. to 10 A.M. near the lobby, heated indoor swimming pool, a fitness center (24 hours), and a coin operated laundry. The large conference room is ours to use for around the clock open gaming. Reserve using Group Code: Palladium Books. And do it as soon as possible. The hotel has been remodeled, resulting in a smaller number of rooms. If you know you are coming to the 2015 Palladium Open House, we recommend you reserve your room today. Important Note: You MUST give them the Group Code: Palladium Books to get this rate. Call 734-455-8100 to make your reservation. The hotel does NOT charge your credit card until a few days before the event and you can cancel up to May 10, 2015. So there is no reason to wait.

2015 POH Game Masters needed

Palladium Megaversal Ambassadors, Palladium creators, and any experienced Game Master planning to come to the 2015 Palladium Open House – please let us know if you are planning to run one or more gaming events. Those who run three or more get special discounts, free T-shirt and more. We need plenty of games to satisfy 300 gamers. Your help is appreciated. Contact us by telephone (734-721-2903) or by email at palladium-gm@palladiumbooks.com.